Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Steering rack gaiter

Have a recently purchased '95 LHD Plus 8 with a torn steering rack gaiter. It's a JK unit. Having read a bit about replacing it we put it up on the lift today. All the articles I looked at referred to a generic replacement gaiter, but it was for one side only.
When we looked at the installed gaiter it is 2 bellows connected by a rubber tube, and it's all in one piece.
First: am I looking at this correctly? Can one side be replaced somehow without replacing the other side?
Second: Is there a US source for the gaiter, or is it more cost effective ordering from the UK?
The replacement looks quite straight forward, I just need the part.
TIA
Tom

Info on JK rack gaiter options below.

I spent a minute before I realised (by accidentally prodding it) that the picture is the clickable link to the info ..... 🙂


K

Its in the thread, but heres the shortcut- Simon does one with the necessary end adapters
Simon @ Sifab.co.uk

Sifabtemporary@gmail.com

Thanks a lot for the info. Seems the popular solution is to use the Saab bellows, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere I looked. I will email Simon next.

All that being said, the Saab bellows are a bit wider at the ends as the original JK's. Wondering (IF and when I find Saab ones) if you couldn't cut the outer ends from the originals and use them as spacers for the Saab ones. If they're thick enough a bit of super glue would keep them in place.
BTW: The Simon @ Sifab.co.uk email didn't work from here, so used the gmail one.

Now REALLY understanding the problem. Our Morgan Motors has the bellows in stock for $145 USD or 107 GBP, plus shipping. On hold for now.............

Hopefully I'm on the track. Sourced a Saab bellows for $35USD. Should be here in a week or so. Plan is to remove the existing bellows and (most likely) wrap the rack ends with a rubber belt cut from an old bicycle tire inner tube. From the specs I read the Saab bellows is 16mm larger than the Morgan. That's just over 1/2" (0.624") It shouldn't take but a few wraps to make that up. Then most likely use stainless clamps to secure the ends.

Worst case is that it won't work. So, while the original bellows is off it will get a GOOD cleaning and the tear (in the bellows portion) will be super glued back together. Hopefully forever.

How about a few layers of self-sealing insulating tape/powerband first? I love that stuff

Sounds like the right track Thomaslea. Prevention of dirt ingress is the objective, so any solution that seals and holds the ends firm will suffice. The spacers are simply nylon clamp fittings with tightening screws/bolts to make them hold fast around the rack ends. I used zip ties on the outside of the gaiter once fitted, but stainless might look better if youre that way inclined. I have jenuwine JK gaiter in waiting/archives; I had purchased before discovering alternatives as the vehicle inspection was due!
I suspect the spaces in the email address are erroneous- possibly my poor transcription.

André Koopmann in Germany manufactures a replacement for the torn gaiters on Jack Knight rack and pinion units.
His have a metal center section, with silicone rubber outer gaiters. The shaped spacers are included in the kit.
contact via : morganwerkstatt@aol.com

I've found the "original" gaiters were thick on one end and thin on the other, and very hard to fit without tearing.